I have no words for how I feel amidst the outpouring of support from friends, family, colleagues, vendors, customers and even complete strangers after the airing of our Dragons' Den segment. Just WOW.

I'm still digesting it all.

I was actually quite surprised at how many people were outright angry; they thought I got ripped-off; they thought the Fenis got too much air time and I got too little. (Sorry Ryan and Elizabeth!)

I am flattered by your passionate support for me and my business. Thank you.

I'm not going to lie - I was disappointed that the segment that aired was as short as it was and as a result, not reflective of what happened in The Den. A segment like mine is referred to as an "Also" as in Also in The Den. Interestingly, they find it harder to edit the shorter segments than the full-length ones. Watch it again and note how much of the audio is voice-over courtesy of Diane Buckner - hence they can make up whatever story suits them. But hey, that's the chance you take when you appear on a show like this, and I'm OK with it. OVER 1.5 MILLION people saw my product and very clearly what its function is. And the orders are rolling in. Onwards and upwards I say!

I did have a short chat with my segment producer Molly, who, when I asked what I could have done differently, was nice enough to ask Mike (the fellow who edited my piece) for some feedback. Here is what they had to say...

"I asked my colleague Mike for some feedback for you - he edited your piece. He said it was good, at least you made the cut, about 50% of products taped don't get to air. And 1.5 million viewers saw it! I can only say it's hard to sustain a LONG piece, usually pieces that make it to about 8 minutes were likely in the den for at least 45 minutes. With yours they didn't hate the product, they liked you, but they simply didn't see it as an investable business. It's almost the toughest kind of pitch in the den, cause it's a cool product, people like it, but over the course of your presentation there was no over-arching lesson to be learned by the viewer (meaning a lesson in business because you were either ill-prepared or over valued or what have you). It seems unless you really get a vibrant or heated discussion going, it's hard to sustain the arch of a full piece."

This made total sense to me. And I actually watch the show now from a new perspective----> the lesson.

I will also add that although I still cannot share any specifics about what happened in The Den outside of what aired on TV, I will tell you that ALL of the Dragons were very kind to me. There was (obviously) a lot of "boob innuendo" flying around the set throughout the 30 plus minutes I was out there, but it was all in good fun. They had a problem with my valuation (as they do with most pitchers); they asked questions and I answered them; they decided not to invest... However, everything happens for a reason <---- I TRULY believe this.

Thank you CBC for the opportunity to present to five amazing entrepreneurs. And thank you Molly and Sam and all the fantastic people at the CBC for guiding me through the process.

Oh! and I was going to call this post "Snugabell Travels the Road to the Dragons' Den Final Chapter", but somehow I don't think that is suitable...

Because I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

Oh and one last thing. See the pic above of Pandora La Glamme and Kevin O'Leary? Kevin actually pulled her back onto the set after we walked-off to have this picture taken. And here is what went down:

KO: "What do you do?"

PLG: "I'm a burlesque performer."

KO: "No really, what do you do?"

Nuff said, here's the pitch:

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the pitch, the model, the product, the Dragons - anything that comes to mind at all. We're all ears (and boobs)! You know the routine - leave your comments below. :-)

Deidrea - The "Hot Mama" says:

Ahhhhh, Wendy!!!! What an incredible journey!! I have to be honest..I do feel like you got jipped a little. You were bringing such a unique product to soo many new eyes, I can't believe you didn't get more air time. But I totally get the "lesson" part..cause lest not forget this IS TV,and it IS about ratings...so take it as a compliment that DD couldn't make an example out of you..take it as a compliment that they didn't have enough "lessons" to be taught on your pitch or product :) Just GETTING there..just being among the elite few..is an INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE honor and you should be SO proud!!!!! VIVA PUMPEASE!!

Posted on October 26, 2010

Wendy Armbruster Bell says:

Thank you Deidrea for your very eloquent and thoughtful comment!
xox

Posted on December 12, 2010

Crystal - Prenatal Coach says:

That's great Wendy! Congratulations on getting there (huge feat in and of itself) and now your product has been shown to millions of women who might have not otherwise known about it! Kudos to you!